Best CrossFit Equipment For Home Gyms (Crush Your WOD!)

Must-Have Strength Equipment For CrossFit Home Gyms

CrossFit strength training will help you to build muscle, increase stamina, improve your balance, and can even help improve your mental health.

Strength training is important for burning calories and building the body you want. [1]

Power Rack/Squat Rack

Power racks are absolutely vital in a CrossFit garage gym. They can be used to perform a bench press, overhead press, squats, and various rows, helping you to make serious strength gains across your body.

Power racks often come with a built-in squat stand and pull up bars. This lets you combine weight training and body weight exercises using the same piece of equipment, which can lead to impressive strength gains quickly.

Power racks and squat racks do take up a bit of space and can be expensive, but they are one of the most functional pieces of garage gym equipment.

You may also need to invest in a platform to make your power rack easier to use and to protect the flooring in your home, so make sure you factor that into the cost when you’re planning.

If you're serious about fitness and strength training, this is some of the best CrossFit equipment for CrossFit gyms.

Find the best power rack for your home gym here!

Barbell

No gym is complete without a barbell. They are probably one of the most popular and used pieces of fitness equipment in the world, and you’ll find barbells in almost every gym.

The reason they’re so popular is their versatility. Barbells can be used for squats, deadlifts, bench presses, and isolation movements that target specific muscle groups. They’re also essential for performing snatches which are a key CrossFit exercise.

Barbells are used in a lot of advanced CrossFit movements and Olympic lifts. Your personal gym should have at least one, but remember to look for a bar shaft made of solid metal that can withstand heavy wear and tear.

Related Article - What Length Barbell Should I Get?

Bumper Plates

Bumper plates are different from standard weight plates because they are all the same size, regardless of weight. They also have a 2 inch diameter hole, so they can only be used with Olympic barbells.

Lifting weights is a key part of your CrossFit programming. You'll likely be using an Olympic barbell to train, so you need to have a set of bumper plates so you can load the barbell and improve your strength and functional fitness.

If your goal is to lift heavy, you can probably get away with just a few larger plates, but with CrossFit, you will often use lower weight and perform more reps.

This means you may not need the heaviest bumper plates, but you still need enough variety to challenge your body appropriately.

You can buy bumper plates individually or as sets, but it’s a good idea to invest in a set if you can afford it. Bumper plates are usually available between 5 and 45 pound weights, but remember that you’ll also need to buy collars so you can use them on a barbell safely.

Read More - What Exactly Are Bumper Plates?

Dumbbells

Dumbbell exercises allow you to target and isolate smaller muscle groups. This means you can build or hone in on specific areas of your body or perform compound movements (like dumbbell rows). This makes them a vital part of your strength training kit.

Dumbbells aren't as commonly used in CrossFit, and most workouts use a barbell instead. However, that doesn't mean they aren't useful, and if you have a very small gym, they will be a useful alternative to a big bar. 

The real advantage of dumbbells in CrossFit is that they force unilateral work. Many people have one side of the body stronger than the other, so by splitting the weights across two dumbbells, you can train both sides of your body at once. This will better prepare your body for other CrossFit exercises, and the full range of motion will improve your flexibility.

A complete set of high-quality dumbbells can be expensive. Rogue Dumbbells are good, but if you have a limited budget, you can look for some second-hand dumbbells that will suit your garage gym.

Just remember to check the quality because, in a CrossFit home gym, they're going to see a lot of use.

Kettlebells

Kettlebells are often overlooked, but they are extremely useful in strength training. They can be used to work out different areas of your body and are often used as part of a high intensity cardio routine. 

Crossfit kettlebell exercises include high intensity kettlebell swings, snatches, and cleans. They can make a useful alternative to Olympic bars or dumbbells, and the flowing motion of the kettlebells helps to improve your overall flexibility.

Getting a full set of kettlebells can be expensive, so it's probably a good idea to invest in a couple and then replace them as you grow stronger. If you manage to maintain them effectively, then you can always sell your old kettlebells on the second-hand market and recover some of your losses.

Quality is important when selecting your kettlebells, and cheap models can be tough on your hands. It's worth investing a few bucks extra in a heavy-duty piece of equipment that's long-lasting but comfortable to use.

If you're looking for some good value kettlebells, it's worth searching online first. Second-hand marketplaces like Craigslist and Facebook are both likely to have them available for a fraction of the price.

Medicine Ball

Medicine balls are useful because you can incorporate them into other strength movements to make them more challenging. They’re useful for weighted core exercises and great if you’re working out in a group because you can toss them between your workout partners.

The slam ball is also popular in the CrossFit community. Slam balls are like medicine balls but don't bounce, so they can be thrown down to the floor. This helps to build your upper body strength and can be an effective cardio move.

If you're following the WOD, you might find they use a medicine ball quite frequently. It's worth investing in a high-quality ball so it lasts longer because they will experience quite a lot of wear and tear from the impact.

See Also - Slam Ball Vs Medicine Ball

Weighted Vest

A weight vest lets you push your limits, and they're really popular with experienced CrossFitters. You'll often see people wearing weight vests during the CrossFit games as a way to give the competitors more of a challenge.

They're usually around 20-40 pounds and provide extra resistance to make bodyweight movements more challenging. If you've been training for a few years and need to take it up a gear, then this is an excellent way to do it.

A good weighted vest will enhance your workout, but a poor quality one will be uncomfortable and difficult to use. It's important you find a good quality product, and we'd recommend the Rogue Fitness weight vest.

Resistance Bands

Exercise bands are a relatively inexpensive way to improve your strength. They let you target all your major muscle groups, but there's much less chance of injury compared to Olympic weightlifting. They also engage your core and activate smaller muscle groups across your body.

Crossfit is as much about mobility and athletic performance as it is about strength, and resistance bands give you the best of both worlds. If you have limited space and a limited budget, you can pick up a set of bands fairly cheaply, and you'll have a wide range of exercise options available to you.

Weight Bench

Weight benches usually aren't as important for functional exercises, so they won't form an essential part of your CrossFit setup. However, they can be useful for upper body exercises, and even the best CrossFit rack will benefit from having a bench underneath so you can perform more exercises.

A weight bench allows you to perform popular CrossFit exercises like the bench press, skull crushers, rows, and even ab workouts. You probably won't need an adjustable one, so just look for a flat utility bench that supports your workouts.

You don't need to spend a fortune, but try to find quality equipment with high-density foam so you can use it comfortably. The Rogue flat utility bench is one of the best on the market and one to consider if you can afford it.

Must-Have Bodyweight Equipment For CrossFit Home Gyms

Using your body to build your strength is one of the key pillars of CrossFit.

Many programs and WODs can be performed without any equipment, and you can use your own body to provide all the resistance. [2]

Pull-Up Bar

The pull up bar is one of the most important pieces of equipment in a home gym. Pull-ups don't just let you build your strength quickly; they are also a great building block to let you reach a higher level, eventually leading on to muscle ups which are even more beneficial. [3]

Cross fitters use a slightly different arch and hollow form to perform a pull up (you may have seen it performed at the CrossFit games before), which is a little more intense. Your pull up bar will need a bit more space around it to accommodate the movement.

Most power racks will include a pull up bar, but to perform CrossFit workouts, pull-ups, or muscle ups, it's important that your home gym has one.

Also Check Out - Best Wall-Mounted Pull Up Bars

Plyo-Box

You've probably seen CrossFit boxes before, and the plyometric box is a vital part of many CrossFit programs. You can use a bench or some stairs at home, but a CrossFit box tends to be safer and more effective.

Plyometric boxes let you perform box jumps, box squats, step-ups, and burpee stepovers. All these use your body weight to raise your heart rate and train your lower body. Box jumps are particularly effective at building strong legs and are used by advanced CrossFitters.

A plyometric box needs to be sturdy and ideally should be cushioned so you don’t injure your shins if you don’t quite make it. They don’t tend to be too expensive, but you need to make sure you have enough space in your CrossFit home gym because they are one of the home workouts which need vertical space.

If you've got reasonably high ceilings, or you're not too tall, it's worth investing in a CrossFit box because it will help take your body weight exercises to the next level.

Read our full guide to the best plyo boxes on the market here!

Battle Ropes

A battle rope has become a popular accessory in home gyms. The concept is pretty simple, you attach weighted ropes to a wall and use your body to create waves.

They give you an awesome burn which can be brutal on your arms and shoulders but will really help you build lean muscle quickly. Battle rope exercises can also help to develop your core and improve your overall stamina.

They're reasonably cheap and you don't need much space, so they're perfect in a garage gym. If you're looking to take your bodyweight exercise to the next level, then it's useful gear to have.

See Also - Best Battle Ropes For Home CrossFit Training

Climbing Ropes

Climbing is a really effective, practical exercise that's just as effective as pull-ups for building your back, shoulders, and arms, so it's great to work climbing into your routine.

A climbing rope kit should come with all the accessories you need to set it up in your home gym, and depending on the space and your fitness level, you can choose a rope length that suits you. You'll usually have to hook it up to the ceiling, and then you can use it to perform high-intensity climbs.

Climbing rope isn't great for most gyms because there just isn't enough space, but if you're able to use it, it will help with your training. However, if your home gym doesn't have at least a 10 foot ceiling, then it's probably not worth it.

Gymnastics Rings

Gymnastic rings are similar to climbing ropes, and they're also only going to be useful for those with a high ceiling. The gymnastic rings are attached to nylon ropes or straps and then securely fitting to the ceiling. This allows them to be used for ring dips, swinging, or suspension movements.

Gymnastic rings are versatile and help to increase your flexibility and mobility. The stabilization involved in using them really strengthens your core and forces your body to use muscles it otherwise wouldn't. All of this makes it useful for CrossFitters.

However, unless you have a large home gym and you're very experienced, then you won't really see the benefit of this gear. It's probably not the best equipment for everyone, and it's definitely a nice to have, not an essential piece.

Glute Ham Developer

A glute ham developer is specifically designed to help you develop your upper legs and glutes. It's used for glute ham raises which use your body weight to create resistance that you can push against. This equipment is really effective at isolating your legs and glutes, and you'll see significant gains quickly.

A glute ham developer provides an alternative way to train your legs which is easier on your back and shoulders than a traditional squat. You can use it for GHD sit-ups, which are a variation of a standard sit-up but with a wider range of motion to help improve your flexibility.

While glute ham developers are useful, they aren't particularly versatile. For this reason, it's not an essential piece of equipment, and you may find you don't have space for it in your garage gym.

If you want a GHD machine for your home gym, check out our guide to the best glute ham developers here!

Must-Have Cardio Equipment For CrossFit Home Gyms

Jump Rope

Many fitness classes use a jump rope, and jump training is an important part of CrossFit programs. It's a great way to warm up and improve your cardiovascular health without the monotony of running on a treadmill, and it can make your workouts more fun.

A jump rope can take some getting used to, but once you master the rhythm and timing, you can up the intensity and really push yourself. It's a perfect way to introduce high-intensity movements into your workout and elevate your heart rate.

Jump ropes are inexpensive and adjustable, with very little space needed to train. This makes them a perfect addition to your CrossFit gym, and for just a few bucks, it will fulfill all your cardio needs.

Rower

In many ways, the rower is considered the kind of CrossFit cardio. It features as one of the CrossFit open exercises every year and is regarded as a great way to build muscle while burning calories.

Rowers involve coordination between your upper and lower body and stabilization from your core. You'll probably find that you consistently improve as your row, building on your technique and increasing your fitness level as you go.

The only disadvantage of rowers is that they can take up a lot of room in your gym, and you may need to look for a folding model if space is at a premium.

Related Article - Best Affordable Rowers For Garage Gyms

Air Bike

The air bike is becoming more common in CrossFit workouts, and it's useful because it works your upper and lower body simultaneously. The pedaling helps to build your hamstrings, calves, quads, glutes, and back, while the handles work your biceps, shoulders, and triceps. All of this will get your heart racing and help you burn a lot of calories.

Air bikes feature steel tubing, which allows air to pass through it (hence the name). This can get quite loud, so even though this is a good piece of CrossFit cardio equipment, it isn't going to work well in small homes because it will be too noisy.

However, if you want to combine the benefits of rowing and cycling in one place, this will be a good asset in your gym.

Sled

You may have seen a gym sled before, but they aren't as common in home gyms. There are many different variations, but they are usually just large metal sleds that can be loaded with weight and then pushed from one side of a room to another.

Sleds are a great piece of equipment that support a functional push movement, and by moving them around the room, you'll engage your back, shoulders, and legs. They're useful for those recovering from injury, and they can improve your stamina dramatically.

The downside is that sleds can be expensive and take up a lot of space. You need enough space to push them around, so if you're working out in a small home gym, then they aren't really practical.

If you have the space, a sled can be a great asset in a CrossFit gym, but if not, you're better off with some of the smaller equipment.

Other Common CrossFit Home Gym Essentials

Gym Floor Mats

You don't technically need to have gym floor mats, but by putting down good quality mats, you can help to protect your equipment from wear and tear. They'll also protect your home flooring from the impact of a slam ball or the weight of a power rack.

You can buy individual rolling gym floor mats or look into fitted rubber tiles which are a bit more expensive. Whatever you go for, try to get material that is at least ¼ inch thick, so it provides adequate protection.

Gym floor mats are especially important for CrossFit because they tend to be very high-intensity workouts. These can easily cause damage to your equipment and your home, so investing in some flooring can save you a lot of money in the long run.

Learn More - Ultimate Home Gym Flooring Guide

Collars

If you're using bumper plates on your barbell, you should invest in collars or safety pins. These stop your plates from sliding off the end of the barbell and protect you, the plates, and your floor from becoming damaged.

If you're performing standard lifts in the gym, you may be able to get by without collars, but the high-intensity movements associated with CrossFit mean that it's much more likely a plate can slide off. Collars are pretty cheap, so it's worthwhile buying at least two.

Related Article - What Are Barbell Collars Used For?

Weight Lifting Belt

Belts can help you lift more by bracing your core. This gives your arms and lower back something to contract against and strengthens your middle.

It reduces the stress on your lower back and can help you lift safely while maintaining the right form. [4]

If you're new to weight lifting, you may not need a belt, but if you're a more experienced CrossFitter, it's definitely worth investing in one to help you train safely.

Weightlifting Chalk

Chalk helps you grip the bar more effectively and lower the risk of it slipping from your hands. It also helps to protect your skin from tearing and stops injuries from occurring. If you're lifting heavy, it's a good idea to get some chalk in.

SPRI Chalk Block, 2oz. (4 Pack) for...

• GYM CHALK BLOCK - 2oz magnesium carbonate,...
• IMPROVES GRIP AND HANDLE: Great for...
• KEEPS HANDS DRY: Absorbs and eliminates...
• EASY TO USE: Block can easily be broken apart...

Benefits Of Setting Up A CrossFit Gym At Home

1. Serious Long-Term Savings

There’s no denying that building your own CrossFit garage gym will involve some cost, but it can save you a lot of money in the long run.

If you're looking to fully kit your gym for all types of CrossFit workouts, you will probably need to spend $3000-$5000.

However, if you’re happy to go for second CrossFit equipment in your home gym setup, you can usually fit it out for under $2000.

The cost of a membership to a good CrossFit gym can cost you thousands of dollars a year. If you focus on the essentials for your CrossFit workout, you can spend under $1500 and save a killing over a few years.

Related Article - Working Out At Home Vs Gym

2. Exercise When It Suits You

The biggest obstacle to working out is always the inconvenience. We all have busy jobs, busy lives, and other commitments, which can mean that training stops being a priority.

By building your own CrossFit gym, you can work out whenever it suits you and build it into your schedule. This means you aren't impacted by restrictive opening hours of commercial gyms and will help you maximize your gains.

3. Focus On The Exercises You Enjoy

If you're using CrossFit equipment in a commercial gym, you might have to tailor your training program based on what's available. You might not have access to the best equipment, and the gym equipment may not involve the training exercises you enjoy.

By investing in your own gear and the right at-home CrossFit gym equipment, you can make sure you can perform the exercises you enjoy. This will make your training more effective, and improve your motivation, so you work out more often.

CrossFit Home Gyms Equipment FAQs

Can you properly train CrossFit at home?

Yes, there are plenty of WODs which don't require much specialist equipment or space, so you should be able to train properly in your home gym.

What brand of equipment does CrossFit use?

Rogue Fitness is regarded as one of the best CrossFit brands, and the Rogue Ohio Barbell is really useful in CrossFit training.

How do I set up a CrossFit gym at home?

Your home gym needs to take into account your fitness goals, the space you have available, and your budget.

To get the best CrossFit rig for garage gyms, you need to accurately measure the space and plan it out. Then focus on getting the essential equipment listed above before looking at anything else.

How much space do you need for a home CrossFit gym?

You generally need a space of at least 10 feet by 10 feet for a proper CrossFit home gym. Anything less than that will leave you struggling to work out properly.

How much does it cost to set up a CrossFit gym?

A fully kitted-out CrossFit gym can cost over $5000, but if you only invest in the heavy-duty essentials, you can set it up for under $1500. In the long run, this can end up being a lot cheaper than a CrossFit membership at a gym.